At DOK Architecture, we dig deep – each of our 2,700+ articles draws on more than 10 academic references to bring you the best in design insight. Now, we share the tools and resources that power our work. Whether you are a student, practicing architect or simply curious about the built world, this page is your gateway to free databases, practical guides and key terms in seven languages.
Turkish, English, German, French, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese. Explore, learn and build with us.
Research Like a Pro
Unlock the resources we use to create our 2,700+ articles. From scientific journals to design software, it’s a carefully curated list to fuel your architectural curiosity, whether you’re researching brutalism, sketching a concept or following global trends.
- JSTOR Architecture Section: Dive into peer-reviewed journals covering the history, theory and practice of design. You’ll find gems on everything from Renaissance palaces to modernist manifestos. Free access to exclusive articles makes it a student favorite – just browse the “Architecture and Architectural History” collection. Pair it with our Turkish brutalist compilation for a deeper reading.
- Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals: Search over 800,000 citations from thousands of architectural publications worldwide. Hosted by Columbia University, it’s a goldmine for tracking down obscure articles or primary sources. Free previews are limited, so try accessing it through a library or university subscription – it’s worth it for professionals chasing citations.
- SketchUp Free: This free, browser-based tool lets you draw 3D models or analyze structures on the fly. Lightweight but powerful, it’s ideal for students mocking up a studio project or architects testing a quick concept. Export your work to visualize ideas from our adaptive reuse articles.
- Google Scholar: A must-have for academic research, this app searches for articles, theses and books on topics such as sustainable urbanism or brutalist aesthetics. Filter by date for the most recent studies (try “2024 architecture sustainability”) and match findings to our pieces, such as our Tokyo micro-architecture feature, for a richer perspective.
- Getty Research Institute Portal: Access digitized architectural books, rare manuscripts and drawings – some dating back centuries. It’s free, no login required and perfect for historical deep dives. Search for “urban planning” or “modernism” to uncover the texts we use for our European reviews.
- Open Access Theses and Dissertations (OATD): Discover the latest research from graduate students worldwide, such as theses on parametric design or post-industrial reuse. Free, global and a treasure trove for new perspectives. Cross-reference with our urban planning articles to see theory in practice.
- BIMobject: A free resource for architects that offers downloadable Building Information Modeling (BIM) components such as windows, doors or furniture. Great for professionals integrating real-world products into designs inspired by our sustainable architecture articles.
- Dwell: A stylish mix of residential design and lifestyle, Dwell’s free articles highlight innovative homes and materials. Less academic but packed with visuals; use our micro-architecture coverage to contextualize with real-world examples.
- Climate Analyzer: Curious about the environmental context of a building? This free tool maps climate data by location-rainfall, temperature, sun exposure. By selecting a city from one of our reviews (Osaka, for example), you can see how weather shapes the design choices we highlight.
Pro Tip: Full access to some resources (such as Avery or JSTOR) may require an institutional login; check with your local university, library or professional network. Can’t get in? Start with open access options; they are equally effective for launching a project or article.
Bonus 5-Step Building Analysis Checklist
Our specific method for evaluating any building, divided into five clear steps:
- Form: What is its shape, scale and material story?
- Function: How does it serve its purpose – past, present, future?
- Context: How does it fit into its location, culture and history?
- Impact: What is its imprint-social, environmental, aesthetic?
- Criticism: Strengths, flaws and what they teach us.
Glossary of Terms
Speak Architecture in Seven Languages
Whether you are a new architect or want to improve your existing language skills, our dictionary bridging cultures and concepts is for you! With more than 2,700 terms in Turkish, English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Japanese, our dictionary will be your pocket guide to the built world. Our full version is in preparation and we are looking forward to your valuable contributions: Which terms would you like to see added? You can send us your ideas at[[email protected]] or share them on X with the hashtag #dokmimarlik. Let’s enrich this dictionary together!
Brutalism
- English: Raw, exposed concrete designs, bold and unapologetic.
- Turkish: Brütalizm – Ham betonun cesur estetiği.
- German: Brutalismus – Roher Beton, starke Formen.
- French: Brutalisme – Béton brut et audacieux.
- Italian: Brutalismo – Cemento a vista, design deciso.
- Spanish: Brutalismo – Hormigón crudo y formas potentes.
- Japanese: ブルータリズム (Burūtarizumu) – 剥き出しのコンクリート、大胆な美学。
Adaptive Reuse:
- English: Transforming old buildings for new purposes.
- Turkish: Uyarlamalı Yeniden Kullanım – Eski yapıları yeni işlevlere dönüştürme.
- German: Adaptive Wiederverwendung – Alte Gebäude neu genutzt.
- French: Réutilisation adaptative – Transformer les vieux bâtiments pour de nouveaux usages.
- Italian: Riuso adattivo – Riadattare edifici antichi a nuovi scopi.
- Spanish: Reutilización adaptativa – Transformar edificios antiguos para nuevos fines.
- Japanese: 適応再利用 (Tekiō Sai Riyō) – 古い建物を新しい目的に変える。
Sustainable Design:
- English: Eco-friendly architecture that minimizes environmental impact.
- Turkish: Sürdürülebilir Tasarım – Çevre dostu, etkiyi en aza indiren mimari.
- German: Nachhaltiges Design – Umweltfreundliche Architektur mit minimaler Belastung.
- French: Design durable – Architecture écologique réduisant l’impact environnemental.
- Italian: Design sostenibile – Architettura ecologica che riduce l’impatto ambientale.
- Spanish: Diseño sostenible – Arquitectura ecológica que minimiza el impacto ambiental.
- Japanese: サステナブルデザイン (Sasutenaburu Dezain) – 環境に優しい、低影響の建築。
Micro-Architecture:
- English: Small-scale structures with big design impact.
- Turkish: Mikro-Mimari – Küçük ölçekli, büyük tasarım etkisi olan yapılar.
- German: Mikroarchitektur – Kleine Strukturen mit großer gestalterischer Wirkung.
- French: Micro-architecture – Petites structures au fort impact design.
- Italian: Micro-architettura – Strutture su piccola scala con grande impatto progettuale.
- Spanish: Microarquitectura – Estructuras pequeñas con gran impacto de diseño.
- Japanese: マイクロアーキテクチャ (Maikuro Ākitekucha) – 小規模で大きなデザイン影響を持つ構造。
Urbanism
- English: The study and shaping of city life and spaces.
- Turkish: Kentçilik – Şehir yaşamı ve mekanlarının incelenmesi ve şekillendirilmesi.
- German: Urbanismus – Untersuchung und Gestaltung von Stadtleben und Räumen.
- French: Urbanisme – Étude et aménagement de la vie et des espaces urbains.
- Italian: Urbanistica – Studio e modellazione della vita e degli spazi cittadini.
- Spanish: Urbanismo – Estudio y configuración de la vida y espacios urbanos.
- Japanese: アーバニズム (Ābanizumu) – 都市の生活と空間の研究と形成。
More to come: Do you want to explore terms like “Prefabrication”, “Vernacular Architecture” or “Parametric Design”? The full dictionary will cover these and more in seven languages. Check back soon or suggest your favorites!
References We Referenced
Browse Inside Our Resources
Since 2020, our work has been cited in academic articles around the world, from university theses to design journals. Below, we pull back the curtain on some of our favorite sources – books, journals, and magazines – that have shaped the way we look at everything from Istanbul’s urban sprawl to Tokyo’s little wonders. These are the voices we turn to and we are excited to share them with you.
Aldo Rossi’s “Architecture of the City” (1966):
This Italian masterpiece redefined the way we see urban form, not as isolated buildings, but rather as living, evolving systems. Rossi’s ideas resonate in our study of cities like Istanbul, where history and modernity collide, and Tokyo, where density demands creativity. A must-read for understanding the soul of urban landscapes.
“Buildings & Cities” Journal (Open Access):
Launched in 2019, this peer-reviewed gem offers the latest research on sustainability and urban design free for all to read. From Osaka to Berlin, the 2024 issue, packed with studies on low-carbon materials and adaptive reuse, has inspired our approaches to eco-friendly building. Browse for data-driven insights you won’t find elsewhere.
“Detail” Magazine (Germany):
Precision meets art in this German magazine, loved by architects and engineers alike. Its focus on construction techniques such as curtain walls or modular systems is the basis for our European reviews, from Spanish housing projects to French heritage restorations. Turn the pages for images and technical specifications that bring the design to life.
“A Pattern Language” Christopher Alexander et al (1977):
A timeless guide to designing spaces that make you feel, this book’s 253 “patterns” (think courtyards, light on both sides) inform our analysis of micro-architecture and community-oriented building. Applied to Japanese houses and Turkish squares, this lens is practical poetry for every designer.
“The Journal of Architecture” (RIBA):
Published by the Royal Institute of British Architects, this journal bridges theory and practice with articles on everything from postmodernism to climate resilience. The 2023 article on the resurgence of brutalism led to an in-depth look at Turkey’s concrete icons. Scholarly but approachable – perfect for students and professionals.
“Domus” Magazine (Italy):
Since 1928,Domus has been following the development of architecture with a stylish and global eye. Its coverage of biennials and experimental design, such as parametric structures in Spain or minimalist pavilions in Japan, feeds our event-oriented publications. A brilliant companion to our on-the-ground reporting.
“Sustainability in Urban Planning” by Carlos J.L. Balsas (2021):
This new book looks at how cities can be made greener, from transit hubs to public spaces. It forms a backbone for our articles on urbanism, such as sustainable regions in Germany or France. Match that with our 2024 stats-23,600 views, showing that readers crave these ideas.
Want more? Do you have a favorite reference? Let us know with #dokmimarlik on X – we are always expanding our library.
Let’s Build Better Together
Found a resource we should add? Email us at [[email protected]]. Dive into our 2,700+ articles for more inspiration or share your thoughts on X with #dokmimarlik. Let’s keep growing the architectural conversation!